Wales’ Six Nations squad — Who are Josh Adams and James Davies?

Wales coach Warren Gatland said he had given Josh Adams and James Davies an “exciting opportunity” as he picked the uncapped pair in his Wales squad for the Six Nations.

Both players are in form and deserve their place among the 39 names announced Tuesday morning, but who are they?

Don’t worry if you aren’t a regular at Sixways or Parc y Scarlets, ESPN gives you the lowdown on the two newest members of Gatland’s squad.

James Davies (Scarlets)

James Davies has been a virtual ever-present since making his Scarlets debut in 2014. Ian Cook – CameraSport via Getty Images

For many in Wales, the inclusion of Olympic silver medallist Davies in Gatland’s squad has been a long time coming, and at 27 he is the oldest of the uncapped duo.

Davies — the brother of Scarlets teammate, and Wales centre, Jonathan — first broke into the Scarlets first team at the start of the 2014-15 season and he has been a virtual ever-present since.

Having honed his skills on the Sevens circuit with Wales — and then Great Britain in Rio — the flanker is excellent at the breakdown and possesses the skills of a back in attack.

He played a crucial role as the Scarlets stormed to the PRO12 title last season, playing an exciting, expansive brand of rugby under Wayne Pivac.

However, despite playing a pivotal role in that success and scoring a try in the final, full Wales honours alluded Davies.

In the past, it had been suggested that “Cubby Boi” — a nickname he has tattooed on his knuckles — would find it difficult to fit into the senior squad. Luckily for him, it seems there has been a change of heart.

Adams, 22, is currently the Premiership’s leading try scorer having touched down nine times in just 13 appearances this term.

Those scores included the pivotal brace that helped Worcester beat London Irish last month, and put breathing space between them and the English top-flight’s bottom club.

An elusive runner with an eye for the try line, Adams has been used across the Warriors back three since forcing his way into the side during the 2016-17 season.

Born in Swansea, Adams started his career with Llanelli but was deemed surplus to requirements at regional level — his only appearance for the Scarlets coming in an Anglo-Welsh Cup defeat to Cardiff Blues in November, 2014.

Adams spurned interest from other clubs in England and France to sign for Worcester, but as he did not reject a regional contract when signing a first-team deal in 2016, he is not trapped by Wales’ selection policy.